Obaid appreciates that North Central College’s science curriculum includes more than quantitative data and figures. It’s allowed the aspiring researcher to better himself as a person while he expands his knowledge and capabilities as a scientist.

“The broad liberal arts education prepares you to be proficient not just technically, but socially as well. This is something that almost every scientific profession looks for nowadays,” he says. “North Central has the potential to shape you into a great student and effective professional.”

Obaid was drawn to North Central for a variety of reasons.

“I noticed the low student-to-faculty ratio and the high standard the professors are held to. Teaching takes top priority,” he says. “Plus, Naperville is ranked one of the best places to live in the nation and the proximity to Chicago is a huge plus!”

Physics majors like Obaid also benefit from North Central’s close proximity to two national labs – Fermi and Argonne.